Page 25 of Sweet Union
It’s fucking Dr. Ryder again.
“Funny seeing you again. My wife’s been shot. Go save her like you did me.”
Dr. Ryder sighs. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“Not if you want to live.”
“Don’t call the police,” she says to the receptionist. “I’ll handle this.” She turns to me. “Take me to your wife.”
CHAPTER12
Natalya
When I wake up, all I feel is pain. The side of my abdomen is on fire, and my entire body feels achy.
“Nat? Nat? Baby, wake up.” Luca’s voice cuts through the fog in my brain.
My eyes flutter open, and his face takes up my entire line of sight. “Luca?”
“You’re ok, baby. You’re ok.” He peppers kisses all over my face.
“What happened?”
“Fucking Romeo shot you. But I got you help, and you’re ok.”
I look around the room. Judging by the harsh light and white walls with posters of ads for vaccines and medical advice, I have to assume I’m in an exam room.
Someone clears their throat.
When I look over, I see Dr. Ryder’s very pissed-off face. I turn back to Luca. “You got Dr. Ryder?”
“She was working at this clinic when I came in.”
“And held me at gun point as well,” Dr. Ryder grumbles. “What is with you two? And why do you keep getting shot?”
“I’m ok?” I ask.
She nods firmly. “You’ll live. I got the bullet and cleaned out your wound. You’ll be fine. Now, do either of you want to tell me what’s going on, or are you going to kill me?”
“We’re not going to kill you,” I say before Luca can interrupt. “Thank you. For saving me.”
“How did you get shot?”
“It’s not important,” Luca cuts in.
“That’s what I tried asking you before, but I was hoping your wife would give a different answer.”
“As my husband said, it’s not important.” Dr. Ryder is innocent. I don’t want her getting caught up in Romeo’s drama. Unfortunately, she’s been caught up in our drama.
“I want to talk to my wife alone now,” Luca tells Dr. Ryder. “But I’m going to need tie you up, so you don’t go anywhere.”
Dr. Ryder scrunches up her nose. “Is that really necessary?”
Luca just looks at her.
She sighs. “Right.”
Luca walks her out of the room. I can hear scuffling, and then, after a few minutes, he comes back in. “There. Now, it’s just you and me.” He sits beside me and takes my hand. “You’re gonna be ok, baby. You’re gonna be ok.”
